The preparation of aluminium soaps by a continuous process. II. Aluminium nonanoate

Abstract

An account is given of the laboratory preparation of aluminium dinonanoate, the aluminium soap of 3: 5: 5‐trimethylhexanoic acid, using a continuous process. The effect, on the composition and quality of the soap produced, of changing variables such as concentration and proportions of the reacting solutions, degree of agitation and time and temperature of reaction, has been found. It is shown that the product of the best quality, when judged by the consistency and storage stability of gels in hydrocarbons, is produced when the reaction pH is kept within the range 3.6 to 4.0. The conclusions from the laboratory preparations were later confirmed on pilot‐plant scale.